Prince Naif’s statement, the first by a top official, puts an end to speculation on women’s participation in the elections, which are due to commence Feb. 10 and continue until April 21. The elections will be conducted in three stages in order to choose half the members of the 178 municipal councils in the Kingdom’s 13 regions.

According to Arab News, the General Committee for Municipal Elections stated recently that women would not be allowed to run in the elections. (albawaba.com)